The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-14
CHlNA'S LEGATION.
How tine Representatives of the Chinese
Empire at Washington Enjoy Life.

| little hall. have been in MANY libra
ries in my life, but can say that never
have l entered one exactly like this.
The room might almost be described as
an octagon, it has so many little hooks
and crannies. There are odd-looking
bookcases filled with rare and valuable
manuscripts and number of cabinets
OF beautiful workmanship in which are
richly bound editions of the Chinese
classics. This room is the Minister'S
private office and strangers rarely have
chance to enter it. Passing still
further toward the back of the mansion,
we come to the ballroom, perhaps the
largest and most elegant in the city,
and the scene of some of the most bril-
liant entertainments ever given in
Washington. Though the Minister is
not frequent entertainer himself, he
is always ready to put his house at the
disposal of the society ladies of Wash
ington. Every season, however, he
gives grand ball, for which over a
thousand invitations are issued The
last occasion of this kind is still fresh
in the public mind, on account of the
behavior Of the guests. There is still
another apartment well worth linger-
ing in. This is the smoking-room
that hesven of the Celestial of
every degree. 1t is luxuriously fur
nished with diyans and mats and
sofas and rugs of every conceivable
design and color. There is not much
regard for taste; comfort seems to be
the object sought after and certainly
gained. In a large and curious cabinet
you will be shown a strange and varied
collection of pipes. 1t is little museum
in itself in the matter of smokers goods.
thought saw substance that looked
like opium, but l wont be certain of it.
The smoking-room is the general
lounging place of the house. Here you
can find majority of the fifteen men
who make up the legation at all hours
of the day. smoking, doing, drinking
delicious tea every half hour, and lead
ing, on the whole, delightfully."- lazy
life. In the evening they generally 60
to the theater, of which they are pas
sionately fond. You can see them al
most any night in a box, dressed in
their cool, loose-itting costumes and
looking the picture of happiness and
contentment. Perhaps no one but the
interpreter and translator can under
stand what is going on, but they do
not allow this small matter to interfere
with their enjoyment of the play. They
applaud vociferously, but not always
in a timely manner. | remember one
evening, some time ago, sitting near
them at the theater. During one of
the parts an actress on the stage lit a
cigarette. She was evidently not an
expert, the smoke went the wrong way
and she choked. The occupants of the
Chinese box went off like a pack of fire.
crackers, the epidemic spread, and
soon the whole audience was in roar
of laughter. The two hundred pound
Secretary of the Legation laughed so
hard at one time that thought he was
going to have a fit
The present members of the Chinese
Legation are very handsome, intelli-
gent body of men. Including the serv-
ants, there are about thirty of them,
and they seem to enjoy life like so
many children. The incidents of their
life in this country seem to have per-
feet fascination for them. They go to
the circus, to balls, receptions and din
ners, and follow, in fact, every form of
life with the most supreme delight.
During the social season they are faith
full devotees of society, and promptly
return every call and rapturously ac-
cept every invitation sent them. Taken
all in all, the sum and substance of
Chinese diplomacy in this country APP
pears to lie in the direction of having
good time.
Chang Yen Hoon, the Minister, how
ever, is credited with being man of
unusual ability. He is a soldier by pro-
fession, and for repeated gallantry in
subduing number of rebellions in the
provinces he was promoted first to the
rank of Tas-tai Expetant, and then
made Envoy Extraordinary to the
United States, Spain and Peru, which
positions he now holds. He is much
more dignified and reserved than his
associates, and is rarely seen in public.
He does not speak word of English.
however, and whenever he goes out is
accompanied by his translator and in
terpreter, besides retinue of servants
in glittering livery. Washington Cor.
Chicago Herald.
One of the most recent of inventions
is the chirocycle, machine designed to
take the place of velocipedes and other
vehicles for children. 1t is propelled by
a crank and is far more durable and
useful it is said, than the bicycle. A
factory for its manufacture has recently
been established at Oxford, Mass. The
topographometer, which records auto
matically the typography and difference
of level of all places over which it passes,
is a recent invention of u Partisan.
Faithful Pastor-"A minister's life
is very hard one" Parishioner-
"Why, there are only two sermons a